Dear Friend, 

Welcome back to the McBride Memo, my dispatch to Delawareans from DC. 

This week was a busy one back in Washington, and the stakes are high. From another attempt to end the war in Iran to introducing my seventh bipartisan bill, the work was pressing and essential on Capitol Hill. 

Here are five big things to know:

Earlier this week, many of you were filing your taxes, an already stressful undertaking that many hoped would bring relief. Unfortunately, for many Americans, this Tax Day was a reminder of more broken promises from this president and Republicans in Congress. 

Last year, we watched as Congressional Republicans crammed through their infamous “Big Beautiful Bill” which they incessantly claimed would provide tax cuts to working families—when, in reality, it eviscerated the American health care system and gave tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. Nevertheless, the White House continues to claim that my neighbors would be getting historically high refunds—instead, families are seeing smaller refunds and higher costs across the board.

All while Donald Trump’s billionaire besties get a major windfall and working people pay the price. 

More than the numbers on your tax return, this broken promise represents a larger pattern of lies and disinformation about this administration’s priorities. They recently terminated the Direct File Program which directly reduced costs for simply filing taxes, which I co-sponsored legislation to reverse. Because, while families are already stretched to the limit, they deserve answers from their government about when and how they will see relief. 

I will keep pushing for an economy and a government that actually lowers costs and delivers for working people, not for the well-off donors. 

Yesterday, House Democrats once again brought forward a War Powers Resolution to rein in this president’s reckless war of choice in Iran—and, once again, it failed because not enough Republicans joined us.

This is the second time that Republicans in Congress have refused to act as a check on the president’s war of choice in the Middle East. While the stakes remain high and the consequences are impacting my neighbors, my colleagues across the aisle still refuse to take action to address this conflict. 

Let’s be clear: this conflict is raising costs here at home, from the gas pump to the cost of products like fertilizer that will continue to drive up grocery totals everywhere. Not to mention, the current ceasefire is fragile and is the only thing standing in the way of this president plunging us back into active conflict. 

I am grateful that the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened on Iran’s part, and I hope we achieve a deal that can secure truly lasting peace and an end to this war, but, based on what we’re seeing, I remain skeptical that a deal is possible that makes this war necessary. And as I mentioned last week, even if the Strait of Hormuz is permanently opened and tolls are not required, the mere fact that this war has resulted in Iran demonstrating to themselves and the rest of the world that they have the clear capacity to close and hold the Strait has given them an “Economic Weapon of Mass Destruction” that they did not have before. Not for nothing, President Obama secured a robust deal on a nuclear program without a war, the loss of American lives, or raising costs for everyone. 

You deserve transparency and accountability. You deserve to have the voice of your Member of Congress heard in this conflict. I voted, again, to end this war of choice, and I will keep doing everything in my power to restore accountability—because no president should be able to drag this country, unilaterally, into an ill-thought conflict. 

This week, I voted to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian families here in Delaware and across the country—because, in our state, we look out for our neighbors.

For thousands of Haitian Delawareans, the last year has been full of uncertainty, disinformation, and divisive rhetoric. Moreover, for these families, TPS isn’t an abstract policy—it offers stability, safety, and the ability to work and care for their loved ones and contribute to their community. From supporting our health care system to strengthening our agricultural economy, Haitian immigrants are an essential piece of the First State. 

Ending these protections—especially as abruptly as this administration has—in the face of ongoing instability in Haiti isn’t just a morally bankrupt policy; it all but ensures harmful outcomes for families in Delaware. 

That is precisely why I signed a discharge petition aimed at ensuring the extension of TPS for my neighbors that forced yesterday’s vote, and I will keep advocating for an immigration system that is rooted in dignity, fairness, and common sense. 

This week, I introduced the bipartisan Biotechnology for All High School Students Act, the seventh bill I’ve introduced this Congress—all of which have been bipartisan!

This bill aims to expand access to lab equipment, provide training to our educators, and increase access to biotechnology education to make sure every student can learn and thrive, and is all about ensuring that the future of innovation is nurtured in every classroom. 

Biotechnology is helping shape the future of health care, agriculture, and our economy—but we must do more to prepare the next generation to lead in this critical field. This bill aims to help close the access gap by ensuring students have hands-on biotech education and the resources they need to continue driving scientific innovation in their schools and across our state. 

Whether it's developing life-saving treatments or building the next generation of scientific breakthroughs, we should be investing early in the talent right here at home—because investment in our students is an investment in Delaware’s future, and in the next generation. You can read more about the bill here.

Per usual, my neighbors filled my cup and reminded me why this work matters—because our shared communities are all part of the same story.

At the Hockessin Colored School #107C, I stood in a one-room schoolhouse that tells a powerful truth about our past and our progress. This site, now part of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, holds the story of families like Sarah Bulah’s, who fought to end segregation in our schools. Walking through it alongside Mr. James “Sonny” Knott, who attended the school decades ago, was a reminder that progress is possible—but only because people are willing to fight for it.

At the Sanford School, I had the chance to sit down with young leaders who are already shaping their communities with courage and compassion. We talked about identity, leadership, and what it means to show up for one another. Their voices were thoughtful, determined, and clear: the next generation is ready to lead.

I also met with leaders at the Delaware Criminal Justice Council to discuss how we can make our justice system more effective, more equitable, and more focused on prevention and rehabilitation. From violence intervention to reentry support, their work reflects a simple idea: public safety and second chances go hand in hand.

At this year’s Congressional Art Competition at The Delaware Contemporary, I joined students and families for a celebration of creativity, expression, and the power of young people to tell their stories through art. With more than 60 submissions from across the state, these students offered an impressive glimpse into the creative vision of our neighbors. The winner, Daniel Qi from Archemere Academy, will have his piece, The Soloist, in the U.S. Capitol for the next year. Congratulations, Daniel!

I sat down with AARP Delaware to talk about the issues that matter most to seniors and older adults in our state—from protecting Social Security to supporting family caregivers and cracking down on scams. With more than 190,000 members across Delaware, their advocacy reflects the needs and dignity of a generation that deserves security and respect.

I met with Wilmington Water leaders to discuss the city’s work to replace lead pipes and ensure safe, affordable drinking water for every family. Clean water isn’t a luxury—it’s a basic right, and I’m proud to support investments that protect public health and hold polluters accountable.

And finally, I met with members of the various community development corporations, including Cornerstone West, Be Ready, and Southbridge—community leaders working to expand affordable housing, support small businesses, and increase access to credit in underserved communities. Their work is about more than development—it’s about building opportunity, block by block, for families across Delaware. 

That’s all for this week. I will keep working to make sure government is working for all Delawareans—and I appreciate you staying informed. 

Talk soon, Delaware!

Stay in touch, and I'll do the same. Sarah McBride Delaware's Congresswoman

• Upcoming Mobile Office Hours: Our constituent advocacy team is hosting the next Mobile Office Hours event in Middletown on Tuesday, May 19 from 4 to 6pm at the Appoquinimink Library. Representatives from our office will be available to help neighbors with a variety of issues, you can learn more and RSVP here. 
• Service Academy Nominations: Our office is accepting applications from Delaware students seeking nominations to our nation’s prestigious service academies! As a member of Congress, it is my honor to support these students in their efforts to serve our nation in uniform. The application deadline is October 15th and you can find more information on eligibility and application requirements here.
• A simple step that can save lives. Smart911 is a free, secure service that lets you create a safety profile with critical information—like medical conditions, medications, disabilities, and emergency contacts—that 911 operators can see when you call for help. That means first responders have the information they need before they arrive, helping them act faster and smarter. Learn more and sign up at www.smart911.com! 
• Help navigating a federal agency—If you can't get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem. If you need help navigating a federal agency, please visit: https://mcbride.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency

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